Pope Audience: Look to Mary, Mother of Hope

On the eve of his Apostolic visit to Fatima, Pope Francis on Wednesday, described Mary as the Mother of Hope adding that she was a woman of courage, perseverance and obedience.

Speaking to the thousands of pilgrims and tourists in St Peter’s Square, the Pope said that,  “Our Lady’s experience of motherhood models that of so many mothers in our world.” Mothers who have had to confront the suffering of their children.

He went on to say that she courageously accepted her vocation and welcomed the new life entrusted to her.  The Holy Father also noted how despite the trials in her life, she remained always obedient to God.

Mary, Pope Francis commented, is with her son until the very end. Her image, he said “standing at the foot of the cross and grieving the death of her innocent Son has inspired artists of every age to present her as a model of persevering hope in God’s promises.”

The hope that Our Lady had, underlined the Pope, was the fruit of a life of prayer and daily effort to be conformed to God’s will, and was fulfilled in Jesus’ rising to new life.  We are not orphans, Pope Francis added, “we have a Mother in heaven who is the Holy Mother of God.”

Following his catechesis, the Holy Father, greeting Portuguese speaking pilgrims asked for prayers for his upcoming visit to Fatima. He also had words of welcome for a delegation of young Russian priests of the Patriarchate of Moscow who are being hosted by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian unity.